Side Charged Upper Guide - Many great options to choose!

[HuntTXhogs]

I recently bought into my first side charge upper, made by New Frontier Armory. I did a side by side comparison to a MEGA Billet upper (non-side charge however same design).

Mega TOP NFA BOTTOM



Mega TOP NFA BOTTOM - notice asymetric shape of NFA to support the rail system design of the side charge handle



Mega TOP NFA BOTTOM



So I did the install over the weekend and noticed the following:

1) It is possible to mate the upper and lower together without capturing the rear door in a closed position. I would assume this would be bad as you'd have gas blowback into the shooter's face. When you pin lower to upper you must be aware to pinch down the rear flap and bring the halves together so that it holds the door down by the top of the buffer tube. Once it is pinched down (captured) it looks like it won't be coming out.

2) The side charge rail doesn't fully clear the standard mil spec lower buffer tube. So if you are running a forged lower you may have a clearance issue. I am running a polymer lower so the side charge rail cut a nice straight line into my lower, no problems or worries with finish because it is polymer!



Total cost of the NFA upper with specialty cam pin was 225.00 shipped.